Shiv Sena has decided to sit in the opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, by formally staking claim to be given the Leader of Opposition's (LoP's) post.
Television reports said the Shiv Sena has proposed the name of Eknath Shinde's name as Leader of Opposition.
This move by the Shiv Sena will put more pressure on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in Maharashtra, as it will be forced to contemplate in seeking the support of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to pass the trust vote which is set to take place on November 12.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena leaders took on the BJP-led government in Maharashtra over the issue of introducing 'Urdu' as a subject in Marathi schools. Wearing saffron phetas (headgear), Shiv Sena legislators occupied benches meant for the Opposition, as the second largest party in the 288-member House. Senior leader Diwakar Raote said Shiv Sena MLAs will present a green skull cap to Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse for "espousing" the cause of Urdu language in Marathi medium schools. "Senior BJP leader and state's new minority affairs minister Eknath Khadse wants to start Urdu in Marathi medium schools. For that, they will have to appoint Urdu teachers and they will also have to create 'namaz' reading rooms. This looks like a great idea. Appreciating for his efforts, we are giving out scull caps to BJP ministers," said Raote. "We are prepared to sit in the opposition, and will not let the BJP have a smooth ride. Let the BJP make its stand clear on whether it's going to take the Nationalist Congress Party's support or not. We have already raked up the Hindutva line to take the morale high ground over the BJP," Raote added.
It may be recalled that the BJP and Shiv Sena snapped their 25-year alliance in September ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls over a seat-sharing disagreement.
Following the polls the BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly with 122 seats, but one of its MLAs Govind Rathod died. The Shiv Sena finished second with 63 seats. The NCP, which emerged victorious in 41 seats, has offered the BJP 'external support' to form the government in the state.
